Since this is an original interview conducted for this site we will leave it at the top for several hours. NEWER posts are BELOW so keep scrolling. Today - part two of the interview. To read part 1 go here. I'll start by republishing the last question of yesterday... MvdG: Africa continues to be the 'black continent'. It's mostly still ignored. Wars are being fought, … [Read more...] about Interview with Harm de Blij – Part 2
Iran’s Controversial President Is Under Political Fire
...in Iran itself. Significance: he talks for Iran but does not represent all of Iran. … [Read more...] about Iran’s Controversial President Is Under Political Fire
Alien technology and global warming
This one merits a massive HUH? From AFP: "A former Canadian defense minister is demanding governments worldwide disclose and use secret alien technologies obtained in alleged UFO crashes to stem climate change, a local paper said Wednesday." That's right, Paul Hellyer -- defence minister under Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson in the mid-'60s and then a senior cabinet … [Read more...] about Alien technology and global warming
Ignorance, Enlightenment, Leadership
In Washington yesterday and today on business, I took a break last night to attend a Congressional reception hosted by TSA, the Tourette Syndrome Association. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton was an honorary co-chair of the event, for which she helped arrange the LBJ Room in the U.S. Capitol. She also delivered brief remarks at the very beginning. Unfortunately, I was about … [Read more...] about Ignorance, Enlightenment, Leadership
6 Months to Win
A US soldier takes a break during a search of an apartment in the south-east of Baghdad. Photograph: Carlos Barria/Reuters Simon Tisdall reports for the Guardian, that a group of officers has told General Petraeus that he has six months to win the war in Iraq. If he fails, political and public pressure might force the U.S. into a hasty withdrawal. The officers are discribed … [Read more...] about 6 Months to Win
Month 47 of the Iraq War By the Numbers
In the course of the nearly four-year-old Mess in Mesopotamia, February 2007 was definitely a doozy. There was the first anniversary of the civil war, some of the bloodiest suicide attacks to date, an upsurge in U.S. helicopter shoot-downs by insurgents, Moktada Al-Sadr's all-expenses-paid vacation to Iran, the official start of President Bush's "surge" strategy and arcades … [Read more...] about Month 47 of the Iraq War By the Numbers
Sanctions – They’re Working!
David Ignatius wrote an interesting column for yesterday's Washington Post (I'm afraid that I didn't have time to link to it yesterday - but because it's about such an important subject I decided to link to link to it today) about sanctions. He starts off by writing that the conventional wisdom is that sanctions don't work: just look at - for instance - Cuba (but also Iraq … [Read more...] about Sanctions – They’re Working!
“The Weakest Link’s” BIG Guest Stars
George Bush and Tony Blair play "The Weakest Link": … [Read more...] about “The Weakest Link’s” BIG Guest Stars
New York City’s Big Ban
How can young people enjoy quality music now? … [Read more...] about New York City’s Big Ban
Around The Sphere March 1, 2007
More of our linkfest offering idea-hungry readers a virtual buffet of links to weblogs of many different viewpoints. Viewpoints expressed do not necessarily reflect those of The Moderate Voice or its contributors. Will The "Real" GTL Please Stand Up? The Gun Toting Liberal (one of our favorite writers on one of our favorite weblog sites) has a MUST READ about the evolution … [Read more...] about Around The Sphere March 1, 2007
Pakistan
McCain Declares He’s Running For President But Is His Campaign Collapsing? (UPDATED)
So now the big non-drama is finally over: Arizona Senator John McCain has declared his candidacy for Presidency on David Letterman. But if you look at recent polls, it seems that many voters would have thought his announcement would have been more suitable on Trading Places. In six years McCain has gone from being perceived as a fiercely-independent Senator with lion-like … [Read more...] about McCain Declares He’s Running For President But Is His Campaign Collapsing? (UPDATED)
Hawaii 5-0
What does 5-0 mean? Is it a score? A slang word I'm too young to understand? It certainly can't be the vote on bill that would legalize gay marriage, because that never made it to the floor. Which is the Hawaii legislature's decision--I'm disappointed, but not voting on the bill certainly is not untoward. What is untoward is groups like the FRC--they of … [Read more...] about Hawaii 5-0
Friends Without Benefits
Is it smart for the Bush administration to ally with dictatorships in order to fight Islamic extremism? An article in The Economist on American relations with Ethiopia got me thinking about this question. Since 9/11, a range of ghoulish dictators and autocrats from across the globe have witnessed their ties with the United States improve dramatically. Islam Karimov of … [Read more...] about Friends Without Benefits
It’s all about Image
I'm a subscriber to Palestinian Media Watch reports. PMW does great work exposing hate-filled PA propaganda. No matter what Palestinian leaders say publicly, Palestinian media seem to spread hatred and intolerance, and worship violence. Read more at my own blog. … [Read more...] about It’s all about Image
The (Politically) Retreating Democrats?
Columnist Robert Novak, in his fast-paced Evans-Novak report notes that the Democrats are in retreat on the Iraq issue due to Rep. Jack Murtha's revelation of a strategy that apparently took other Democrats by surprise:Thanks in part to Pennsylvania Democratic Rep. Jack Murtha's talk about Democrats' plans to attach conditions to Iraq-War funding, Democrats are on the retreat … [Read more...] about The (Politically) Retreating Democrats?
Death By Toothache
If our Medicaid policy was vaguely moral, 12-year-olds wouldn't die because they couldn't get their toothaches dealt with in time. … [Read more...] about Death By Toothache
The Event Chapter 9
Mick LaSalle has published the ninth chapter of The Event. It's a great chapter. The press is falling all over Wade and Priscilla. Within a couple of days Wade is fired. Priscilla starts being asked by major networks to appear on shows and to comment on what happened. She's becoming a symbol for those who oppose president East... East, meanwhile, isn't about to let anybody … [Read more...] about The Event Chapter 9
Complaining Soldiers At Walter Reed Told To Stop Talking About Problems
Isn't it time to use the word? But we won't. We are far too polite. We won't say this Army Times report details what smells like a coverup and/or something truly unworthy of the military men and women who have sacrificed and are on the mend:Soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center’s Medical Hold Unit say they have been told they will wake up at 6 a.m. every morning and … [Read more...] about Complaining Soldiers At Walter Reed Told To Stop Talking About Problems
Open Thread
Play nice. Yes Gray. Play nice! Be sure to check the open thread, some interesting links were posted yesterday. … [Read more...] about Open Thread